The dining room table is often a very formal and important place. The act of sharing a meal has been the cornerstone of human socialization since the beginning of civilization.
That means that the dining table has an important symbolic quality that makes it a dramatic and important piece in any dining room setting. That is why its decoration should be undertaken with a certain amount of care, in order to ensure that it is presented in the proper manner.
The table itself should match the style of the room, and should be big enough to dominate it, and yet sized so that people can comfortably sit around it. Many larger dining table setups will have an optional fold out leaf that lets the table increase in length or width for special occasions.
The quintessential decorative piece for a dining room table is the table cloth. This is a piece of decorative and protective fabric that lays over the surface, both adding color to the festivities, and also protecting the table top from damage that can occur from spills, scratches, and stains. A nice table cloth can turn even the simplest of tables into a fancy and upscale piece.
There are many decorative items that you can use to create a centerpiece on the table. While you can in some cases get quite elaborate with this, make sure that any decorative endeavors do not get in the way of the function of the setting. They should be attractive, but not infringe on anyone’s space, or restrict people from being able to see one another.
Centerpiece items can include candles, vases, or even natural items such as bowls of nuts of fresh fruit. Often a lazy susan will be used as the centerpiece item, laden with appetizers that guests can enjoy. You can also use boughs and wreathes, as well as other natural elements to dress the space elegantly.
By placing food or appetizers in the center of the table, you can use part of the meal itself as a decoration. This can include sauces or other supplemental items such as salt and pepper. However you don’t have to just stand them there.
Rather you can arrange them amidst other decorative pieces to create a centerpiece for your dining room table which is both attractive, and useful. Integrating necessary items, amidst pieces of pure décor, such as candles, wreaths, and other natural materials allows you to create something which is both inspiring and actually useful.
